Solenoid operated can opener



Aug. 18, 1964 K. LEDERGERBER ETAL 3,144,713

SOLENOID OPERATED CAN OPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1962 INVENTOR S K994 ZEDERGERBER I /V/7x Eves 75/? ATTORNEYS g- 1964 K. LEDERGERBER ETAL 3,144,713

SOLENOID OPERATED CAN OPENER Filed July 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /f/,w1 leoameezfi Max 27/ 65' new W @M/fMW ATTORNEYA? INVENTOR S" United States Patent 3,144,713 SOLENOID OPERATED CAN ()PENER Karl Lederger'ner and Max Eugster, Wadley, 621., assignors to Fulghurn Enterprises, Wadley, Ga, a corporation of Georgia Filed July 27, 1962, Ser. No. 212,986 6 Claims. (Cl. 304) This application relates to solenoid operated can openers and in particular to an improved arrangement for the can-opening and can-supporting elements and for the elements which provide for automatically returning the can-opening elements to their at-rest position immediately after a can has been opened.

Solenoid operated openers for beverage cans consist basically of a movable arm fitted with appropriate knife or punch elements and mounted so as to be moved toward the top of the can to be opened by energization of a solenoid and to be returned to a can-receiving position after the can-opening operation has been completed. The arm may be pivoted for rotation in a vertical plane or it may be mounted for linear movement in a vertical plane. Conventionally, the frame for the moving elements is pro vided with a solenoid-actuating switch which is arranged to be closed by the can when manually placed in a position to be punched. conventionally, also, a reset mechanism is provided which deactivates the solenoid when the punch arm reaches its full down position even though the can has not been removed. The arm is then automatically returned, usually by a spring, to its up position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solenoid-operated can opener which has a novel and improved arrangement for a pivoted can-opening lever whereby positive and effective movement thereof is attained.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a solenoid-operated can opener which has a can-opening lever pivoted near one end thereof for rotation about a fixed horizontal axis and a floating link pivoted to the lever and to the movable core of the solenoid.

It is a still further object to provide a solenoid-operated can opener with an improved release and reset mechanism in which a pivotable and slidable element between a solenoid-actuating switch and a plunger is moved away from the switch by the linkage which moves the canopening arm.

It is a further object to provide a solenoid-operated can opener having an improved can-supporting means whereby cans of different heights may be opened without making manual adjustments to the supporting means.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View, partly broken away and partly in section, of a can opener embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the can opener of FIGURE 1 with its can-opening linkage in its canengaging position;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the can opener of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the reset mechanism; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of part of the can-supporting structure;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional schematic view generally on the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURES 1-3 a solenoid-operated can opener is illustrated which includes, as fixed frame members, flat horizontal base member 12, a vertical support plate 14 secured transversely thereto intermediate its ends 3,144,713 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 and a generally channel-shaped, vertical support member 16 secured to the base 12 longitudinally thereof and having its legs 18, 18' projecting rearwardly through a wide vertical slot 20 (FIGURE 3) in the plate 14. A pair of vertical, spaced solenoid coils 22 having electrical contacts 24 are mounted on the rear of the support channel 16 in any suitable manner. As shown, the rear edges of each of the legs 18, 18' is provided with a laterally extending flange 26 to which one of the solenoid coils 22 can be secured by means of screws 28. Each of the solenoid coils 22 is provided with a vertically reciprocable plunger 30.

According to one aspect of the invention the can-opening linkage includes four pivoted members arranged longitudinally of the base 12 and supported by the vertical support channel 16 and the solenoid plungers 30. A generally channel-shaped elongated punch lever 32 is pivoted for rotation about a horizontal axis near its rear end to the upper forward portion of the member 16 so as to extend forwardly thereof. As shown, the punch lever 32 is positioned with its legs 34 extending generally downwardly, the depending rear portions 36 thereof being between the legs 18, 13 of the support channel 16 and pivotally held therein by a bolt 38 provided with appropriate washers such as ill and a nut (not shown). Two longitudinally spaced generally wedge-shaped punches 42 and 44 are secured to the punch lever 32 between the legs 34 thereof by means of machine screws 46 which extend through holes in the top of the arm 32. As is conventional in the art, the forward punch 42 is for the purpose of punching a relatively small vent hole in a can 48 (FIGURE 2) and the rear punch 44 is for punching a pouring hole in the can.

The linkage for reciprocating the punch lever between its at rest position in FIGURE 1 and its can-opening position in FIGURE 2 includes a first generally upright rear link 54) located between the solenoid plungers 30 and pivoted near its lower end on a horizontal rod 52 which extends transversely through the upper portions of the solenoid plungers 3t). Lateral movement of the rod 52 is prevented by any suitable means such as cotter pins 54 at the ends of the rod. The upper end of the link 50 is pivoted to the rear end of a second, or intermediate link 56 which is generally channel shaped with its legs 58 extending downwardly. As seen in FIGURE 3 the link 50 resides between the legs 58 and is pivoted thereto by means of a short rod 60 which is retained by cotter pins 62. The intermediate link 56 extends forwardly through the slot 20 in the vertical support plate 14 and is pivoted to the upper portion of the rear end of the punch lever 32 above "the pivot bolt 38. As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 the legs 58 of the intermediate lever 56 overlap the legs 34 of the punch lever 32 and are pivoted thereto as by a bolt 64.

A pair of inclined third links 66 are located between the rear ends of the legs 18 of the channel member 16 and are pivoted thereto near their lower ends as by pins 68. The upper ends of the links 66 are positioned above and forwardly of the lower ends and reside between the legs 58 of the intermediate link 56 intermediate the ends thereof and are pivoted to the legs 58 as by a bolt 70.

The punch lever 32 is biased to its raised or at rest position by means of a pair of vertical spiral springs 72 which are hooked at their lower ends around the rod 52 directly above the solenoid plungers 30 and which are fixed at their upper ends with respect to the frame members. As shown, the upper ends of the springs 72 are hooked around a horizontal rod 74 which is supported from the vertical plate 14 by means of a bracket consisting of a rearwardly extending plate 76 and a block 7 8.

According to another aspect of the invention an improved reset mechanism is provided for deactivating the solenoid coils 22 immediately after the punch lever has reached its can-opening position. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 this mechanism includes a generally upright channel-shaped switch lever 80 having side walls 82, 82 and a body wall 84. The lower end of the switch lever 80 fits inside the upper end of a vertical channel member 86 and is thereby restrained against lateral movement. Its upper end is provided with a notch 88 which is engageable with the bolt 38 as seen in FIGURE 4. The switch lever is thus not secured at either end but is biased upwardly and forwardly by a spiral inclined spring 90 having its lower end looped over a tab 92 on the front surface of wall 84 of the switch lever 80 and its upper end looped over a tab 94 on the front wall of the support channel 16. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the front wall of channel 16 is cut out as at 96 to simplify installation of the spring 90 and the switch lever 92.

The switch lever 80 further includes a switch engageable plate 98 projecting slightly rearwardly from the rear surface of its body wall 84 intermediate its ends. The top of the switch lever 80 is provided with an upwardly extending actuator pin 100 which, as shown, may be a machine screw extending through a small mounting plate 102 and adjustably secured thereto by a nut 104 on each side of the plate. The plate 102 is secured to the top of the switch lever 80 in any suitable manner as by welding. The pin 100 is located directly below the forward portion of one of the links 66 so as to be engaged by the link 66 when the punch lever 32 is in the can-opening position of FIGURE 2. It will be appreciated that other arrangements for moving the lever 80 by the link 66 may be provided. For example, the lever 80 may be constructed with an integral, upwardly extending projection or the link 66 may be constructed with a downwardly extending projection.

The reset mechanism further includes a micro switch 106 which is secured between the sides 18, 18 of the support channel 16 in any suitable manner. The micro switch has a horizontal plunger 108 which is spring biased to a forward open position and which extends forwardly toward the switch lever 80 far enough to be engageable with the switch plate 98. As seen in FIGURE 4, the top portion of the switch plate 98 is opposite the plunger 108 so that when the switch lever 80 is moved downwardly by engagement of the link 66 with the pin 100 (FIGURE 2) the switch plate 98 slides past the plunger 108 releasing the same.

A horizontal can-operated plunger 110 is slidably mounted in the front wall of the support channel and extends rearwardly into engagement with the front of the body wall 84 of the switch lever 80. This plunger 110 serves to move the switch lever 80 laterally into contact with the plunger 108 of the micro switch 106. As shown, the plunger 110 passes through a block 112 which is secured to the front wall of the support channel 16 between the sides 82, 82' of the switch lever 80. The block thus serves to support the pin 110 and to prevent lateral movement of the switch lever 80.

The electrical circuitry of the can-opener also includes a manually operable safety switch 114 which is connected in series with the micro switch 106 and the solenoid coils 22 so that the coils 22 cannot be energized unless the switch 114 is closed. As shown, the switch 114 is mounted on the upper portion of the vertical plate 14 in such a manner that its throw lever 116 extends to the front. The solenoid coils 22 are connected in parallel, as is conventional, one lead (not shown) being connected to one of the terminals 118 of the micro switch and the other lead (not shown) being connected to one of the terminals 120 on the safety switch 114. The other terminals 118 and 120 are connected to a standard 110 volt source.

According to another aspect of the invention the cansupporting structure includes one or more flaps 120 which are adapted to pivot about a horizontal axis toward and away from the vertical support plate 14. As

seen in FIGURES l and 5, each of the flaps may be a generally channel-shaped member having a body portion 124 and a pair of parallel side portions 126. The side portions are cut away at the upper end of the fiat so as to form a pair of ears 127 and an exposed edge 128 which is engageable with the bottom of a can. Preferably the length of the edge 128 will be chosen to fit snugly within the depending rim 130 of a conventional can as seen in FIGURE 2. As shown, the flaps are mounted for rotation by means of horizontal pins 132 extending through the lower portions of the sides 128 and journaled in the sides of the channel member 86 located within the member 16. The upper edges 128 are biased into a forward, can-engaging position by means of torsion springs 136 surrounding the pins 132 and engaging the body portion 124 and the member 86. The front wall of the support channel 16 is apertured as at 138 to permit the edges 128 to extend forwardly thereof. The forward rotation of the flaps 120 is limited by engagement of the ears 127 with the channel 16.

As will be understood, any number of vertically spaced flaps 120 may be provided depending on the heights of the cans to be opened. As shown, two spaced flaps 120 are provided, the upper flap being arranged below the punch lever 32 so as to support an 8 oz. can in a proper position for being opened and the lower flap being arranged to support a 12 oz. can. The height of the punch lever 32 above the horizontal support 12 is such that a 16 oz. can resting on the support 12 may be opened.

According to still another aspect of the invention a can guide plate 140 is provided for guiding the can 48 into proper relationship with the plunger 110 and the punches 42 and 44. As seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 6 the plate 140 is secured to the front wall of the support channel 16 and is shaped so as to present a generally concave surface to a can being inserted into the opener. Preferably the plate 140 is shaped so as to engage the side of a can at several circumferentially spaced points or along a circumferential portion in order to accurately align the can with the punches. As seen in FIGURES l and 2 the forward extremities of the plate 140 may have rearwardly cut-out portions 142 therein so that the plate 140 does not interfere with the fingers of the person holding the can. Also as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 the plate 140 is provided with appropriate apertures for the plunger 110, the tab 94 and the edges 128 of the flaps 122.

In order to place the can-opener in operation the safety switch 114 is closed. In the absence of a can engaging the plunger 110 the solenoid coils are unenergized and the can-opening linkage and the reset mechanism remain in the positions shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, respectively. When the bottom of a can 48 is placed on the support 12 or on the edge 128 of one of the flaps 120 and its side is guided against the plunger 110 by the guide plate 140, the switch lever 80 is pivoted clockwise from the position seen in FIGURE 4 about the point of engagement of its lower end with the front wall of member 16. This movement causes the switch plate 98 on the rear of the switch lever 80 to engage the micro switch plunger 103 and push the same rearwardly to energize the solenoid coils 22. As is apparent in FIGURE 2, any flap 120 which is engaged by the side of a can will be pivoted clockwise against the action of its spring 136 so as not to prevent the side of the can from engaging the plunger 110.

Energization of the coils 22 causes the solenoid plungers 30 to be drawn downwardly into the coils thus pulling downwardly on the link 50. Under the force the intermediate link 56 rocks generally clockwise as seen in FIG- URES l and 2, its forward end moving forwardly and upwardly and its center portion moving forwardly and downwardly. Since the pivot bolt 64 between the forward end of the intermediate link 56 is above and to the rear of the fixed pivot 38 of the punch lever 32, the pushing movement of the forward end of the link 56 causes the punch lever 32 to pivot counterclockwise thus driving the punches 42 and 44 into the top of the can 48. It will be noted that the horizontal spacing between pivots 64 and 38 is quite small so that only a small movement of the intermediate link 56 is required to reciprocate the punch lever 32 between its at rest and punching positions.

The rocking movement of the intermediate link 56 during energization of the coils 22 also results in counterclockwise movement of the links 66 so that the forward portion of one of them moves downwardly into engagement with the top of the reset actuator pin 100. The resulting slight downward movement of the pin 100 pushes the switch lever 80 downwardly against the action of the spring 90 so that the switch plate 98 disengages from the micro switch plunger 108 thus allowing the latter to move forwardly to open the microswitch 106 and thereby de-energize the coils 22. As seen in FIGURE 2, the upper edge of the switch plate 93 latches with the lower surface of the plunger 108 so that the pull of the spring 90 does not actuate the switch 106 even when the pin 100 is released by link 66. The springs 72 attached to the top of the solenoid plungers 30 then return the plungers 30 and the links 50, 56 and 66 and the punch lever 32 to their at rest position shown in FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 2 the position of the parts is that at which the switch lever 80 has just opened the micro switch 106, that is, the position at which the punch lever 32 is just beginning to return to its at rest position. It will be noted that opening of the micro switch 106 by the lever 32 does not depend on the removal of the can 48 from engagement with the plunger 110. Thus, rearward movement of plunger 110 as by the pressure of a can results in a simple, rapid reciprocation of the punch lever.

After the links 66 return to their at rest position as a result of the opening of the micro switch 106 and after the cam 48 is removed from engagement with the plunger 110, the switch lever 80 is moved upwardly and rotated counterclockwise by the spring 90. The upper edge of the switch plate 98 thus slips past the micro switch plunger 108 to a position directly opposite the forward end of the plunger 108 as shown in FIGURE 4. The entire can opener is then in the condition shown in FIGURE 1 and is ready to receive another can 48.

Thus it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a rugged and long-lasting can opener which is effective and positive in its action yet is simple and economical to construct. All of the elements are either standard parts such as springs, bolts and solenoids or are easily fabricated from standard metal stock. Further, the opener will open cans of different heights without any manual adjustment of the can-supporting means.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described it will be apparent that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. It is not intended that the details of the described embodiment be limiting except as they appear in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a can opener: a frame; a solenoid fixed with respect to said frame having a vertically movable plunger biased to a position above the solenoid; a can-opening lever arm provided with depending punch means secured near one end pivoted to said frame near its other end for rotation about a horizontal axis, said one end being remote from said solenoid; a first link pivoted to the upper end of said solenoid plunger for rotation about a horizontal axis; a second link pivoted near one of its ends to said first link and near its other end to said other end of said can-opening arm; a third link pivoted to said frame between said can-opening arm and said solenoid for rotation about a horizontal axis and pivoted to said second link intermediate the ends thereof; a solenoidactuating switch fixed with respect to said frame, said switch having an actuating plunger projecting therefrom; a switch lever mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from said actuating plunger and for sliding movement transversely of said actuating plunger and having a plunger-engaging projection thereon; movable canoperated means associated with said switch lever for rotating said switch lever in a direction such that said projection engages said switch plunger when said means is moved by a can; means associated with said switch lever and operable, when said can-opening arm reaches its canopening position, to slide said switch lever transversely of said actuating plunger whereby said projection releases said actuating plunger; and biasing means, operable when said can-operated means is released, for rotating said switch lever away from said actuating plunger and for sliding said switch lever transversely of said actuating plunger into its original position with the projection thereon poised for engagement with the actuating plunger.

2. A can opener as in claim 1 wherein said switch lever is a generally vertical elongated member which is rotatable about its lower end, wherein said plunger-engaging projection is located intermediate the ends of said elongated member, and wherein said third link is operable to slide said elongated member downwardly.

3. A can opener as in claim 1 further comprising: cansupporting means including an elongated member below said punch means and having a lower portion remote from said punch means and an upper portion nearer said punch means; and means mounting said member for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a position at which said upper portion is engageable with the bottom of a can being opened and a position at which said upper portion is horizontally offset from a can being opened.

4. In a can opener having a solenoid with a reciprocable plunger, can-punching means mounted for reciprocable movement between a can-engaging position and a position in which the can is not engaged, means operatively associated with said can-punching means and with said solenoid plunger for moving said can-punching means between said positions in accordance with reciprocation of said solenoid plunger, and a switch with a switch plunger, said switch plunger having first and second positions for energizing and de-energizing, respectively, said solenoid the improvement comprising: an elongated channelshaped lever having a body portion and two parallel side portions and a projection extending from the outer portion of said body portion intermediate its ends for engaging said switch plunger; spring means biasing said lever means in a longitudinal direction toward a stop means; guide means engaging said side portions for preventing lateral movement of said lever means; can-operated means for rotating said lever means generally about its end which is remote from said stop means; and means responsive to movement of said can-punching means to its can-engaging position for moving said lever means longitudinally against said spring means whereby said projection longitudinally disengages from said switch plunger.

5. In a can opener having a solenoid with a reciprocable plunger, can-punching means mounted for reciprocable movement between a can-engaging position and a position in which the can is not engaged, means operatively associated with said can-punching means and with said solenoid plunger for moving said can-punching means between said positions in accordance with reciprocation of said solenoid plunger, and a switch with a switch plunger, said switch plunger having first and second positions for energizing and de-energizing, respectively, said solenoid the improvement comprising: an elongated lever having a projection on one side thereof intermediate its ends for engaging said switch plunger; spring means biasing said lever in a longitudinal direction toward a stop means and in a direction away from said switch plunger, the end of said lever remote from said stop means being in engagement with a fixed support which limits movement of that end in said direction away from said switch plunger; can-operated means for rotating said lever means toward 7 said switch plunger, said lever being pivotable about the point of engagement with said fixed support; and means responsive to movement of said can-punching means to its can-engaging position for moving said lever longitudinally against said spring means whereby said projection longitudinally disengages from said switch plunger.

6. A can opener comprising: an upstanding frame having a vertical front member against which the side of an upstanding can may be placed for opening; a can-opening arm extending forwardly from said frame, said arm having punch means secured to one end and being pivoted to said frame near its other end for rotation about a horizontal axis; can-guiding plates associated with said front member for guiding a can to a predetermined position under said arm; a solenoid disposed rearwardly of said frame and fixed thereto and having a vertically movable plunger biased toward a position above said solenoid; a linkage for rotating said arm downwardly upon downward movement of said solenoid plunger, said linkage being pivoted at one end to said solenoid plunger and at its other end to said arm; a solenoid-actuating switch disposed rearwardly of said front frame member; a can-operated plunger extending forwardly through said front frame member; reset means between and engageable with said can-operated plunger and said switch, said reset means being responsive to rearward movement of said can-operated plunger to close said switch and operable when said arm reaches a can-opening position to open said switch; and a movable can support disposed below said can-operated plunger, said support including a flap projecting forwardly through said front frame member in a generally upward direction and being pivoted near its lower end for rotation toward and away from said front frame member; and means biasing said flap away from said front frame element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,001,303 Farrell May 14, 1935 2,556,731 Lapierre June 12, 1951 2,677,882 Scheringer May 11, 1954 2,703,926 Ragan Mar. 15, 1955 

1. IN A CAN OPENER: A FRAME; A SOLENOID FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME HAVING A VERTICALLY MOVABLE PLUNGER BIASED TO A POSITION ABOVE THE SOLENOID; A CAN-OPENING LEVER ARM PROVIDED WITH DEPENDING PUNCH MEANS SECURED NEAR ONE END PIVOTED TO SAID FRAME NEAR ITS OTHER END FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID ONE END BEING REMOTE FROM SAID SOLENOID; A FIRST LINK PIVOTED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SOLENOID PLUNGER FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS; A SECOND LINK PIVOTED NEAR ONE OF ITS ENDS TO SAID FIRST LINK AND NEAR ITS OTHER END TO SAID OTHER END OF SAID CAN-OPENING ARM; A THIRD LINK PIVOTED TO SAID FRAME BETWEEN SAID CAN-OPENING ARM AND SAID SOLENOID FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND PIVOTED TO SAID SECOND LINK INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF; A SOLENOIDACTUATING SWITCH FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, SAID SWITCH HAVING AN ACTUATING PLUNGER PROJECTING THEREFROM; A SWITCH LEVER MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID ACTUATING PLUNGER AND FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY OF SAID ACTUATING PLUNGER AND HAVING A PLUNGER-ENGAGING PROJECTION THEREON; MOVABLE CANOPERATED MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SWITCH LEVER FOR ROTATING SAID SWITCH LEVER IN A DIRECTION SUCH THAT SAID PROJECTION ENGAGES SAID SWITCH PLUNGER WHEN SAID MEANS IS MOVED BY A CAN; MEANS ASSOCAITED WITH SAID SWITCH LEVER 